Store Clerks Caught in Sting Operation
Two Oxnard convenience store workers were arrested on suspicion of selling alcohol to minors during a sting operation, police said.
Jose Cardenas, 36, of Santa Barbara, co-owner of La Carneceria, 244 North A St., and Linda Karen Diaz, 43, of Oxnard, a clerk at Express Mini Mart, 400 W. Pleasant Valley Road, were arrested Tuesday after selling alcohol to two teenagers, ages 16 and 17, who were working for the police.
The two workers were given citations and released.
“Success of these projects is gauged not by the number of establishments that sell to minors, but rather by the number that refuse to sell,” said Officer Ken Clopman. “With only 9% of the businesses visited selling alcohol to minors, this program is considered relatively successful.”
The decoy operation was conducted by Oxnard police and the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at 22 stores. Several other decoy operations are planned this year.
The inspections are part of a project dubbed IMPACT--designed to prevent crimes. As part of the project, police check stores for potential violations ranging from loitering to improper displays of adult videos and magazines.
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